Page 64 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“I’m sorry.”

Noelle smiled. “No need to be. I have become well enough acquainted with Lady Lockwood to expect the sort of thing she says.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Yes, but... I mean about what I said in the past, too. I didn’t—it wasn’t—”

Noelle raised her eyebrows, her voice teasing. “Yes? I do hope you aren’t about to tell me again what you had mistaken me for in the past.”

He let out a groan. “I suppose you’ll never let me forget that.”

“Probably not,” she agreed lightly as she started down the hall, Carlisle strolling along beside her. “But I long ago decided that you aren’t to blame for your aristocratic ignorance.”

“You’re too kind,” he said sardonically.

“You probably shouldn’t have hurried after me like that. It might make Lady Lockwood suspicious.”

“Fortunately, Lady Lockwood has so many suspicions, no one takes them seriously.” He sighed. “But I suppose you’re right. I shouldn’t...it’s just...I didn’t see you last night at dinner.”

“No. I ate with Gil and put him to bed. I was rather tired so I went to sleep early myself.” That was something of a lie, as she had spent a good bit of time tossing and turning first, but she saw no reason to let him know that.

“I missed you. I mean, it was odd,” he backtracked quickly. “Not seeing you. We’d been together so much the past few days.”

“Yes.”

“I wish...well, it doesn’t matter.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and stopped. “Yes. Well. I should get to work.” He made no move to leave. “What are your plans for the day?”

“I thought I’d work in the library this morning while Gil is at his studies.”

“I’m sure you missed him a great deal.”

“Yes. It was wonderful to be with him again.” She beamed.

“I wish...” Carlisle glanced away, his jaw clenching. “I should get to writing those letters.”

He nodded to her and turned away. She watched him stride off down the hall, wondering what he had been about to say.

NOELLE WAS ON the upper walkway of the library later when a woman’s voice interrupted her cataloging. “Excuse me.”

Noelle turned to see Annabeth standing in the doorway below. “Miss Winfield.”

“Please, call me Annabeth.”

“Of course. Annabeth.” Noelle set aside her pad and pencil and started down the winding staircase to the floor below. “Please come in. May I help you?”

Annabeth walked forward to meet her, glancing around the room as she did so. “Aunt Adeline said you were working in here. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Not at all. It’s a task that will take me years, so a few minutes scarcely matters.”

“What are you doing?” Annabeth asked curiously.

“Cataloging the library.”

“Oh, my.”

Noelle chuckled. “Yes. It’s an even larger task than I envisioned. I suppose I should say that I am attempting to catalog it.”

“I’m sure you’re doing an excellent job. I should be happy to help you...that is, if you’d like some assistance.”

“Of course. You’re more than welcome. But I fear most people would find it rather boring.”